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[[File:{{Infobox carriage|image = Severn Valley 1940's Weekend (9236474289).jpg|thumbcaption = GWR 80969 Inspection Saloon|300pxconstruc = GWR Swindon|rightstatus = In service|GWR carno = 80969 Inspection Saloon|othernos = DW80969|designed = Hawksworth|diagram = Q13|lot = 1701|cartype = Nondescript, [[:Category:Carriage Type INSP|INSP]]|length = 52ft 0in|weight = 31t (approx)|built = 1948|seats = 23 (as now used)|years1 = 1973|events1 = Preserved on SVR|years2 = |events2 = |years3 = |events3 = |years4 = |events4 = |years5 = |events5 = |years6 = |events6 = }}80969 is one of six 52ft inspection saloons (INSP) built at Swindon as lot number 1701 to diagram Q13. <ref>Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey</ref> It was ordered under FW Hawksworth’s tenure as GWR CME, although it has little visual similarity to his other carriage designs. It entered service in January 1948 in what had by then become the BR Western Region.<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref>

80969’s ==80969 in service and preservation==80969 entered service in January 1948 in what had by then become the BR Western Region. As a Departmental vehicle allocated to the Western region it carried the number DW80969. It later moved to the Scottish Region, where it ended service at Cowlairs , Glasgow in Scotland 1973. ==80969 in 1973, from where it preservation==80969 arrived on the SVR in at Bewdley on 6 April of that year 1973, having been privately purchasedby a member of the Great Western (SVR) Association. It was initially painted in BR all-blue livery and used as the General Manager’s office.<ref>SVR News 28</ref><ref name=SB9/> By 1977 ownership has been assumed by another private individual. 80969 then received an overhaul in summer 1978. The interior was stripped and re-varnished, while the plumbing and gas cooker were also overhauled. The exterior was repainted into Hawksworth era Chocolate and Cream livery and new carpets were fitted, with the overhaul being completed just in time for a return to service as an Observation Car in the September 1978 Enthusiasts weekend.<ref>SVR News 48-49</ref>  80969 was used in the filming of Series 7 Episode 1 of [[Father Brown (2013 TV series)|Father Brown]], first broadcast on 7 January 2019.<ref>[Review of episode on BBC iPlayer</ref> In March 2019 it was outshopped from [[Carriage Repair Works|Kidderminster Carriage Works]] after a light overhaul where work took place on the water tank, pipework and upholstery, together with a repaint. {{As of July 2015|2019}}, 80969 is used continues in use as an Observation Car, normally being attached to the end of a rake of carriages for private hire or ‘cream tea’ specials. <ref>SVR Website</ref> It seats up to 23 people and is furnished with armchairs, settees and tables in the two saloons, which are separated by a corridor off which are found a toilet, small kitchen and guard’s office. It is finished in GWR 1942-47 livery, with the coat of arms insignia flanked by 'GREAT' and 'WESTERN'. ==Gallery==Interior views of 80969<gallery>File:80969 interior 1.JPGFile:80969 interior 2.JPGFile:80969 interior 3.JPGFile:80969 interior 4.JPG</gallery> ==See also==*[[Carriages| List of carriages]]

SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition<brreferences />Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey<br>SVR Website

*[http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=265 80969 on www.vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]<br>SVR Website *[http://www.svr.co.uk/RestaurantCar_ObservationSaloon.aspx SVR Website Observation Saloons page] {{CarriageNavbox}}